International Association for Religious Freedom
Encyclopedia
The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) is a charitable organization that works for religious freedom around the world. It was founded in Boston
in 1900 and is the oldest international interfaith
group.
IARF has over ninety affiliated groups, spread over twenty countries, with a wide range of faiths represented, including Islam
, Christianity
, Hinduism
, Sikhism
and Shintoism.
In 1972 IARF was granted consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Fund (ECOSOC). It was the catalyst for the formation of the "Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief" in 1989 which was granted formal status with ECOSOC in 1992.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
in 1900 and is the oldest international interfaith
Interfaith
The term interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative, constructive and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions and/or spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional levels...
group.
IARF has over ninety affiliated groups, spread over twenty countries, with a wide range of faiths represented, including Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, Sikhism
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
and Shintoism.
In 1972 IARF was granted consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Fund (ECOSOC). It was the catalyst for the formation of the "Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief" in 1989 which was granted formal status with ECOSOC in 1992.